Step-box



(No Model.)

H. E. SNYDER.

STEP B0X.

Patented NOV'. 16,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

HOWARD E.. SNYDER, OF BOMANSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEP-Box.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 593,695, dated November 16, 1897.

Application filed December l2, 1896. Serial No. 615,512. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD E. SNYDER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Bomanstown, in the county of Carbon and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Boxes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to a central vertical section through a step-boxembodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the step-box proper. Fig. 3 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the journal-ring, and Fig. 4 represents an enlarged detail perspective view of the shaft.

A in the drawings represents the frame or casing; B, the step-box proper; C, the journal sleeve or ring; D, the shaft, and E the feather or'key. Said casing or frame A is preferably cylindrical in form and is closed at its lower end, as at ct, and provided at its upper end with an annular flange a,whereby it may be suitably mounted in the frame of the crusher or other machine to which the step-box is to be applied. The step-box proper, B, is of such diameter as to t snugly within the casing A and is formed with a socket b, having an upwardly-proj ectin g stud b' arranged inv its bottom. Antifriction-balls b2 are adapted to be applied in said socket about said upwardly-projecting stud. The diameter of the socket in said step-box is slightly greater than the diameter of the lower journal end of the shaft D. The journalsleeve C is of such diameter as to fit snugly within the frame A and is provided with a central aperture c, through which the journal portion of Athe shaft D is adapted to pass, wherebya lateral support for said shaft is provided. This ring C is provided with a plurality of vertical oilpassages c', adapted to correspond in position with inclined oil-channels b3, formed in the upper surface of the box B, whereby oil may be introduced into the socket of said box. The casing A is provided with a suitable key or feather groove a2, adapted to receive the headed key or feather E. The said box B and ring O are provided, respectively, with similar feather-grooves b4 and c4, adapted to receive said feather E. The said shaft D is adapted to be passed down through the opening in the bearing-ring C, so that its lower end will rest firmly upon the antifriction-balls mounted in the socket of the stepbox. The lower end of said shaft D is made slightly conical, so as to normally force the antifriction-balls out away from the central stud mounted in the socket of the step-box.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that the shaft D is supported in my improved stepbox upon antifriction-rollers which prevent all heating and cutting of the lower end of the shaft and permit of its runningv free with a minimum amount of friction. l The heating and cutting of the shaft are further obviated by the peculiar construction of the oil-passages for the socketed stepbox. box being filled or stored with oil, so that the lower end of the shaft always operates directly in the oil, where it cannot become heated.

The parts of this device are very simple and cheap in construction, and, being removable, may be readily replaced, should they become worn, by simply removing the feather E and the step-box and bearing-ring.-

This invention is intended principally for application to the shafts of heavymachinerysuch as mills, stone-crushers, and the likein which the vertical operating-shafts are caused to support a great many tons.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-dh l. In a step-box, the combination with a supporting-frame, of a socketed step-box proper mounted therein and provided with a centrally-located stud in its bottom, antifriction-balls of a greater diameter than the height of the stud and applied in said stepbox about said stud, and a shaft having a These passages permit of the said step-- IOO lower conical end adapted to engage said said box, and a shaft adapted to have its lower balls to force them out away from the stud, ends supported by said balls, substantially as substantially as described. described.

2. Ina step-box, the combination with a In testimony whereof I have signed this 15 5 suitable supporting-frame, of asocketed stepspecification in the presence of two subscribbox mounted therein and provided with a peing Witnesses. ripheral vertical groove, a supporting-ring i also mounted in said frame above said step- HOWARD E' SNYDER box and provided With a similar peripheral 7Witnesses: Io groove, a key for locking said ring and box EDWIN MCCORMIGK,

lirmly together, antifriction-balls mounted in JOHN SEABOLDT. 

